help needed (long)

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[DS_Teens_Plus] help needed (long)

Hi everyone.

Well, I have a problem I am searching for a solution for. Or I should say, I

know the solution, I am looking for more ammunition to back me up.

is in a generic special education classroom. We agreed with the placement

in the special education classroom, however, we are not pleased with the generic

aspect.

There are 11 kids in the classroom. Six are called EMD (educable mentally

disabled), including . Now, I don't like labels, however I will use them

in our best interest.

The other seven children are a mish mash. A few are called learning disabled,

and also are on behavior modification plans (BMP). A few more technically have

no learning disability, they are called ED, emotionally disturbed, and are on

BMP's. Two students have been added recently that have no learning disability,

they are ED, have BMP's, are already in the court system, and have been placed

in 's room as a " last ditch effort to save them " . These two students have

horrible issues, that I agree need to be addressed, but not in the same

classroom as . There hasn't been a day since they were placed in the

classroom that they haven't disrupted the class in major ways, (loud yelling,

screaming, cursing, throwing things, kicking a TV off the stand to crash to the

floor). One of them stole money from today.

The other ED students also have their own issues. Unfortunately, these students

do not have good home lives, which of course adds fuel to the fire, so they

don't have someone strong to speak for them.

This is not appropriate placement for (or for the other EMD students).

#1 - Safety-these are big, strong, boys. The teacher and para are all women.

#2 - LRE- no way. There is no way can focus on her work when there is

such commotion. Not to mention if she is afraid of the activities in the

classroom, there is no way she is learning at her best.

#3- One of the reasons we wanted her in the sped room was for the extra

attention, one on one and small groups, that she could receive for academics.

When the teacher is so involved with discipline and psychiatry, how can she

teach. (Not to mention in fear for her own physical safety).

This is also not appropriate placement for the ED students. They need a teacher

and para trained to handle their unique, special needs. They need to be in

their own room where their BMP's can truly be followed.

I know all of this off the top of my head. And I am taking this to the

principal, and then to the district. However, I would also like some other

backup, such as articles, laws, guidelines, protocols, that I can take and show

to the powers that be.

I also know they will suggest we put in the TMD room (trainable mentally

disabled). However, the students in there have separate issues. I was at the

school the other day, and one young man spent the day yelling at the top of his

lungs, another threw a chair and slapped the teacher. And the academic emphasis

is not at the level needs.

I have spent several hours searching on line today. However, I don't feel I am

getting anywhere. I must not be that good at searches, and none of the sites I

have looked at have helped.

Is there anyone that has access to information I can use, or knows where I can

get the info?

I appreciate any and all help.

Sharon H.

Mom to , (14, DS) and , (10)

South Carolina